GMO Internet Group Signs Official Partnership Agreement with MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club
— Contributing to collegiate sports and education through competitive support in a growing wave of university sports sponsorships —

GMO Internet Group will sign an official partnership agreement with the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club, one of Japan’s premier university rugby teams, on Monday, September 1, 2025. Under this agreement, the Group will contribute to the promotion of collegiate sports by supporting the club’s activities, enhancing its competitive environment, and displaying the company’s logo on the team’s uniforms and other apparel.

Background and Purpose of the Agreement

In recent years, partnerships between universities and companies have become increasingly active in the realm of collegiate sports. To further enhance its competitive level and improve its facilities, the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club established the General Incorporated Association Meiji Rugby Management, creating a support framework aimed at increasing the value of university sports and ensuring the sustainable operation of the team.

In addition, a revision of the Japan Rugby Football Union’s regulations effective Tuesday, April 1, 2025, officially lifted the ban on displaying corporate logos on the official match jerseys of university teams. Until now, university teams were prohibited from displaying sponsor advertisements on uniforms, which imposed certain restrictions on securing activity funding. With this change, new initiatives have become possible in which universities and companies work together to promote sports and revitalize local communities.

The MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club’s core philosophy of moving “Forward” and valuing independent thought and action resonates strongly with the GMO Internet Group’s corporate philosophy, “GMOism.” Furthermore, as an organization with more than a century of history, the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club shares strong affinity with the GMO Internet Group, which aspires to endure as a corporate group for centuries to come.

As a company committed to contributing to society through the Internet industry, GMO Internet Group regards support for sports and education as an important mission, and has decided to enter into this agreement to encourage and empower student athletes with bright futures.

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Overview of the Sponsorship Agreement
• Agreement Name: Official Partnership Agreement
• Contract Period: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
• Agreement Details:
• Display of the logo on the front of the official match jersey
• Display of the logo on the upper front of travel polo shirts
• Display of the logo on the right sleeve of match bench coats
• Display of a logo banner on the official websites of the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club and Meiji Rugby Management

Under this agreement, the GMO Internet Group logo will appear on the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club uniforms — specifically, on the chest of the official match jersey, on the chest of players’ and staff travel polo shirts, and on the right sleeve of match bench coats. This will enhance brand visibility for GMO in the context of collegiate sports, while clearly communicating the Group’s commitment to supporting sports culture.

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Scope of Support

To further strengthen the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club and enhance its social value, GMO Internet Group will provide support in the following areas:
• Competitive Strength Enhancement: Expansion of dedicated training facilities, recruitment of outstanding coaching staff
• Nutritional Environment Improvement: Development of nutrition management systems, enhancement of dormitory meals and supplements
• Community Engagement: Hosting local events, including rugby classes for elementary school children
• Support for Domestic and International Exchange Matches: Assistance with travel expenses and exchange program costs
• Student Life Support: Grants for team operations and educational support activities in general

Through these initiatives, GMO Internet Group aims to provide a better competitive environment, foster stronger community ties, and help promote the appeal of collegiate sports.

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Comment from Masatoshi Kumagai, Representative of GMO Internet Group

“It is a great honor to be able to support the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club, a traditional and prestigious student rugby team. Our Group has long been committed to contributing to society through support for sports and education. Through this sponsorship, we hope to help create an environment where promising student athletes can fully demonstrate their abilities. In the spirit of moving ‘Forward’ together with the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club, we will give our full support to ensure the team achieves its best possible performance and greater success.”

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About the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club

Founded in 1923, the MEIJI UNIVERSITY Rugby Football Club is one of the most prestigious teams in Japanese university rugby, boasting over a century of tradition. The club has won the Kanto University Rugby League 18 times, the All-Japan University Rugby Championship 13 times, and the Japan Rugby Championship once. Known for its powerful forward pack — nicknamed the “Heavy Tank” — the team continues to advance under the slogan “Forward.” For decades, it has played a central role in university rugby, producing numerous Japan national team members and outstanding talent.

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About GMO Internet Group

GMO Internet Group is a comprehensive internet group whose core business is internet infrastructure — providing essential services for business from domain registration to payment processing — along with internet security, internet advertising & media, internet finance, and cryptocurrency businesses.

In addition to this sponsorship, GMO Internet Group also operates a corporate long-distance track and field team to nurture young athletes, and supports the activities of Japan’s national swimming team through a group company’s sponsorship of the Japan Swimming Federation, among other wide-ranging initiatives to promote sports.

For more details on these activities, please visit the special “Sports Support” page on the GMO Internet Group official website:
https://group.gmo/csr/sports/



Note : This document has been translated from the Japanese original for reference purposes only. In the event of any discrepancy between this translated document and the Japanese original, the original shall prevail.